'Very smart': Beyonce talks about her daughter's ability to 'read flashcards' at just 13 months old in new HBO documentary Life Is But A dream

Tender: The 31-year-old singer shared a number of intimate snaps of her and baby daughter, Blue Ivy

Flash cards are used by parents to stimulate their growing children and teach them to recognise words or objects.

Stimulating: Flashcards such as these are used by parents to help their children learn

The benefits have been much debated, with doubters claiming children's rapidly growing brains do not need the extra stimulation.

But many young children enjoy playing at recognising the cards, including 13-month-old Blue.

Proud Beyonce made her revelation as she talked about her 'smart' daughter on an interview to promote her documentary.

The one-off Beyoncé: Life Is But A Dream offered a rare glimpse into
Beyonce's home life as she shared a number of intimate snaps of herself.

Family love: The music superstar was doting on her little girl throughout the documentary, which she co-directed

Radiant: The star showed off her natural beauty and flawless skin by going make-up free with her long locks teased up into braids on top of her head

Showering her little one with
affection, the 31-year-old superstar cuddled up to her baby girl in a
number of touching and tender shots from the family album.

With her long locks teased into
stylish braids and showing off her natural beauty and radiant flawless
skin by going make-up free, the Love On Top singer seemed to be in her
absolute element as she made the most of precious family time with her
daughter.

And with her adorable dark curly ringlets and big brown eyes, there is no denying the similarities between the super-cute tot and Beyoncé herself as a baby.

Offering
a glimpse into the charmed life she and rap mogul husband Jay-Z share, the star opened up on the devastating
miscarriage she suffered prior to falling pregnant with baby Blue Ivy.

Intimate: Beyonce opened up about the devastating miscarriage she and husband Jay-Z suffered prior to falling pregnant with Blue Ivy

Peppered with emotion, Beyonce touched on the topic briefly, saying, 'It was the saddest thing I've ever been through.

'My life is a journey. ... I had to go through my miscarriage, I believe I had to go through owning my company and managing myself ... ultimately your independence comes from knowing who you are and you being happy with yourself.'

The music megastar also talked to Oprah about the joys of becoming a mother for the first time.

Proud parent: The star credits her daughter with helping her to complete her long-awaited documentary

Adorable: Beyonce and Jay-Z welcomed baby Blue Ivy into the world in January 2012

She said: 'It's what I’m most proud of and it just made everything make sense to me. I couldn’t imagine my life if I did not have my daughter.

‘It's so much joy and I have my best friend. She is hilarious and she is fire. I didn't expect her to be fire but lord I’m a have me a time. She’s beautiful.

‘I definitely want another child but it was also important for me to do what I love and I love to perform. I love to make music so I wanted to have my daughter. Maybe after the next tour I’ll have another baby.’

Blessed: Beyonce admitted suffering a miscarriage prior to the arrival of her baby daughter was the 'saddest thing' she had ever been through

Like mother, like daughter: The similarities between little Blue Ivy and Beyonce herself as a baby are clear to see

Beyonce even credits Blue Ivy with helping her complete her long-awaited documentary, which offers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at her touching relationship with Jay-Z, as well as a look at the preparations for her performances at various music awards.

Explaining that the movie was three years in the works, she said: ‘My story did not feel complete and I didn't know why but ... after I gave birth I looked at my diaries and everything made sense.

‘There are so many connections in the film that I didn't realise until I gave birth. Everything just completely connected and I said now know who I am ... I wasn’t complete before my daughter.’

Date night: Beyonce and husband Jay-Z enjoyed an evening out at the NBA All-Star basketball game in her hometown of Houston, Texas, on Sunday night